Sliding Visor

ABSTRACT

A sliding sun visor for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The sun visor includes a first and second visor body shell. The visor also comprises a pivot rod and a carrier slidingly arranged over the pivot rod. The first shell of the visor body includes a monorail arranged on an inside surface thereof. The carrier is slidingly engaged with the first shell wherein the carrier is arranged within or on the monorail. The carrier contacts a top portion of the monorail and a bottom portion of the monorail. The carrier is hence slidingly secured to the monorail and only connected to one of the shells used to engage to form a visor body. The visor bodies are secured via a press fit between a first boss arranged on a first shell and a second boss arranged on the second shell thus creating a secure connection that does not need screws to secure the visor halves to one another.

This application is a continuation of pending application Ser. No.15/919,357—Filed Mar. 13, 2018

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a movable sun visor forinterior use in a vehicle, and more particularly relates to a sun visorwherein the visor body includes two visor body halves or shells adaptedto have only one of those visors shells slidably retain a carrierattached to a pivot rod.

2. Description of Related Art

Sun visors are well known and widely used in the prior art. Manydifferent types and designs have been successfully employed in vehiclesover the years. Many of these prior art visors have been developed in avariety of ways through which visor bodies and other interior componentsmay be constructed and mounted within the vehicle. Advances in designcan often add complexities to the manufacturing processes for interiorcomponents. There has been and continues to be a premium in theautomotive industry on cost savings and improvements in the efficiencyand speed of the manufacturing processes for such components therein.One area of particular focus in the automobile technology field has beenreducing the number and complexity of steps required to assembleinterior components such as sun visors or visors for use in vehicles.

Generally in the prior art, manufacturing simplicity continues to driveinnovations in the automotive industry, loss of quality and performancein the manufacturing components for the sake of facilitating productionis seldom, if ever, acceptable. There is a substantial body of prior artrelating to the specific structure of the visor to provide a strong,light weight construction that matches or compliments the interiorvehicle trim in a cost effective manner. Of particular interest has beenthe clam shell type construction, which involves the molding of twoshell pieces or clam shell halves, which are joined to form the visorbody. In one typical clam shell design, the visor halves are formed as asingle piece attached along the longitudinal edge and then folded toform the visor body. The exterior surface can be molded to provide asuitable visor surface or a desired outer covering may be added in avariety of different ways known in the prior art.

The clam shell design allows the visor body to be constructed relativelyquickly and easily, however the various components that are attached tothe visor clam shell halves must in some cases be incorporated withseveral assembly steps prior to securing the clam shell halves together.For example, some of the known designs require insertion of additionalmounting or journaling pieces for retention of the visor pivot rodwithin the visor body. The construction of the visors having such adesign is relatively time intense. Moreover, the various slides,journals retainers, etc., utilized in the construction may addsignificant expense and weight to the overall visor, along with unwantednoise and increase the number of components necessary to build onetherein.

In one case, eliminating parts may reduce the expense of manufacturingand constructing a visor. The decrease in size and weight, however canbe accompanied by a decrease in strength. Rotatable visors are a concernwhere flimsy construction of the visor core and slider components may beinsufficient to withstand repeated torque actions on the visor shellitself, and in some cases cause dislodging or breaking of thecomponents. Furthermore, the consumers of motor vehicles require visorsthat are nearly silent in operation and do not involve unwanted noisesor sloppiness when sliding, pivoting or rotating the visors. Hence, itis thus desirable in the art to provide a visor that is lightweight,easy to manufacture and uses relatively few components, yet utilizes adesign imparting significant durability to withstand heavy and repeateduse and to provide a solid construction with tight tolerances throughoutthe entire system. Furthermore, there is a need in the art for animproved sliding visor that has a carrier that tracks and slides on onlyone half of a visor shell or substrate of a visor body. There is also aneed in the art for a sun visor that uses a plurality of first bossesand second bosses that secures the first and second shell of the visorbody to one another without screws.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention may be that it provides an improvedsliding visor.

Another object of the present invention may be that it provides asliding visor that has a carrier arranged over a pivot rod.

Yet a further object of the present invention may be that it provides asliding visor that has a carrier that is slidingly secured to only oneof the halves of a visor shell.

Still another object of the present invention may be that it provides asliding visor that has a carrier with a first ride surface and a secondride surface that interengages with a monorail arranged on only thefirst shell of the visor body.

Still another object of the present invention may be that it provides asliding visor that has a carrier that only engages and contacts one ofthe shells of the visor body.

Still another object of the present invention may be that it providesfor a sliding visor that includes a monorail generally having a C-shapearranged on a first shell of the visor body.

Still another object of the present invention may be that it provides asliding visor that has a carrier having a first ride surface, a secondride surface and a third ride surface arranged within a cavity of thecarrier.

Yet another object of the present invention may be that it provides fora sliding visor that has a carrier that includes a steel spring arrangedwithin a pocket therein to control slide on rod efforts by a second andthird ride surface of the carrier.

Still another object of the present invention may be that it providesfor a sliding visor that has a floating detent engaging the pivot rodand arranged within the carrier while being independent of the carrier.

Still another object of the present invention may be that it providesfor a sliding visor that has a plurality of first bosses arranged on afirst shell of the visor body and a plurality of smaller diameter secondbosses arranged on the second shell of the visor body.

Still another object of the present invention may be that it providesfor a sliding visor that has a plurality of first bosses that interactwith a plurality of second bosses in a press fit manner to secure thefirst shell to the second shell thus creating a robust visor bodytherebetween.

Still another object of the present invention may be that it provides asliding visor that uses a plurality of bosses on a first shell and asecond shell wherein the bosses on one of the shells has a locking armwhile the plurality of bosses on the opposite shell have a lockingsurface, wherein the locking arms and locking surfaces interact with oneanother to secure the first shell to the second shell thus creating arobust visor body.

Another object of the present invention may be that it provides asliding visor that connects the first shell to the second shell withoutthe use of screws.

Still another object of the present invention may be that it provides asliding visor that is easy to manufacture, low in cost and robust foruse by the driver of a vehicle.

According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects andadvantages are obtained by a novel design for a sliding visor for use ina vehicle. The sliding visor generally comprises a pivot rod and acarrier arranged on the pivot rod. The visor further comprises a firstand second shell engagable to form a visor a body. The visor alsocomprises a monorail arranged on an inside surface of the first shellwherein the carrier is slidingly engaged with the first shell only. Thecarrier is also arranged and slidingly secured within or on themonorail. The carrier also contacts a top portion of the monorail and abottom portion of the monorail when it is arranged within or on themonorail. The visor also comprises a plurality of bosses arranged on thefirst shell and a second shell which interengage with one another in apress fit manner to secure the first shell to the second shell to formthe visor body without the use of screws.

One advantage of the present invention may be that it provides for animproved sliding visor.

A further advantage of the present invention may be that it provides fora sliding visor that has a carrier arranged on a pivot rod of the visor.

Yet another advantage of the present invention may be that it provides asliding visor that has a carrier that is slidably retained and connectedto only one shell of the visor body.

Yet another advantage of the present invention may be that it providesfor a sliding visor that has a carrier with a first and second ridesurface wherein that first and second ride surface contacts a first andsecond surface of a monorail attached to a first shell of the visorbody.

Still another advantage of the present invention may be that it providesfor a sliding visor that has a carrier that only rides on a first shellof the visor body, engaged with a monorail arranged along or near a topedge of the first shell of the visor body.

Still another advantage of the present invention may be that it providesa sliding visor that has a carrier with a first ride surface, a secondride surface and a third ride surface, all of which interact andinterengage with a monorail on a first shell of a visor body.

Yet another advantage of the present invention may be that it providesfor a sliding visor that includes a steel spring arranged within apocket thereof used to control sliding on rod efforts of the carrierwith respect to the monorail arranged on a first shell of the visorbody.

Still another advantage of the present invention may be that it providesfor a sliding visor that has a floating detent that engages the pivotrod and is arranged within the carrier while being independent of thecarrier.

Still another advantage of the present invention may be that it providesa sliding visor that has a plurality of first bosses arranged on a firstshell and a plurality of smaller diameter second bosses arranged on asecond half shell.

Still another advantage of the present invention may be that it providesfor a sliding visor that uses a plurality of bosses to create a pressfit therebetween to secure the first shell to the second shell to form arobust visor body.

Still another advantage of the present invention may be that it providesa sliding visor that has a plurality of bosses on both a first shell anda second shell wherein those bosses on one shell include a locking armwhile the bosses on the opposite shell include a locking surface whichinterengage with one another to secure the first shell to the secondshell to form a robust visor body.

Still another advantage of the present invention may be that the visorbody is made with a clam shell visor body configuration.

Still another advantage of the present invention may be that the slidingvisor uses a separate first and second shell visor half to connect toone another to create a robust visor body.

Still another advantage of the present invention may be that it providesfor a visor body having two half shells that have a plurality of teetharranged around the periphery of a front edge and sides thereof to allowfor tuck edging of a cover material over the outer surface of the visorbody.

Yet another advantage of the present invention may be that it provides asliding visor that is easy to manufacture, low in cost and ergonomicallypleasing to the user of the visor.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the subsequent description and appended claims,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a sliding visor according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the carrier of a sliding visor according tothe present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a carrier of a sliding visor according tothe present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a partial side view of a sliding visor according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 shows a partial side view of a sliding visor according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 shows a cross section view of a sliding visor according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment of a carrier for a sliding visoraccording to the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a carrierfor a sliding visor according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a partial cross section of an alternate embodiment of acarrier according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a partial side view of an alternate embodiment of thesliding visor according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a partial cross sectional view of an alternate embodimentof a sliding visor according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a cross sectional view of the sliding visor and bossaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a sliding visor and boss accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a top view of a first boss of a sliding visor according tothe present invention.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a second boss of the sliding visoraccording to the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows a cross sectional view of the sliding visor and bossaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thesliding visor and boss according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 shows a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of thesliding visor and boss according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 shows an alternate embodiment of a first boss according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a secondboss according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 shows a partial cross sectional view of an alternate embodimentof the sliding visor and boss according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 shows a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of thesliding visor according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a sliding visor 30 accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. Generally, the presentinvention broadly provides a clam shell type vehicle sun visor 30 or anon clam shell type vehicle sun visor 30, having a pivot rod 32 mountedto a carrier 34, wherein the pivot rod 32 and carrier 34 are slidablycaptured on a monorail 36, wherein that monorail 36 is arranged on onlyone of the shells 38,40 of the visor body. The carrier 34 thus rides ononly one shell of the visor body on or within the monorail 36 which ismolded or placed after the molding process integrally within only one ofthe shell portions 38,40 of the visor body. Similarly, the pivot rod 32rides in the visor body, and a separate bracket, bezel or similar pieceis not necessary to support the pivot rod 32. Related aspects of thepresent invention include methods for manufacturing a sun visor 30 alsodescribed herein. Furthermore, it should be noted that the visor 30 asshown in the present application can be used in any known type ofvehicle, such as but not limited to, automotive vehicles, maritimevehicles, aerospace vehicles, military vehicles and any other knownvehicle that has a need for the sun to be blocked from filtering intothe interior compartment of the vehicle. It should also be noted thatgenerally all of the components of the sliding visor 30, according tothe present invention, maybe made of a plastic material that is capableof either being extruded, molded or shaped by any known manufacturingprocess. However, any other known metal, ceramic, plastic, composite,natural material or any other known material may also be used for any ofthe parts or components of the sliding visor 30 described herein.

In one embodiment shown in the Figures, the visor 30 includes a first 38and second shell halve 40 or shells engagable to form the elongate visorbody. Various molded features may be included on each shell tofacilitate engagement of the shells 38,40. For example, complimentarystructures may be formed on the respective visor shells 38,40 that allowa snap fit therebetween.

In one contemplated embodiment, the shells 38,40 may be formed havingintegral or connected longitudinal peripheral edges, respectively. Otherembodiments are contemplated in which the shells 38,40 are formed asseparate, unconnected members. In one of these embodiments a pluralityof first bosses 42 may be arranged on an inside surface of a first shell38 of the visor body. The first boss 42 generally may have a cylindricalshape and may extend a predetermined distance from the inside surface ofthe shell 38. The first bosses 42 in one contemplated embodiment may bearranged along an outer peripheral edge of the visor body along withother first bosses 42 arranged at other interior positions within theshell, depending on the design requirements for the sliding visor 30.The first bosses 42 may be standing bosses and may have a predetermineddiameter. Each of the first bosses 42 are generally of a cylindricalshape and may have a hollow inner bore therein, thus creates apredetermined inner diameter for the first bosses 42. It should be notedthat any other shape other than cylindrical may be used for the firstbosses 42, such as but not limited to square, triangular, star shape, orany other known or random shape may also be used for the shape of thefirst bosses 42. The top edge of the first boss 42 may have an angledsurface 44 for help in receiving a second boss 46, which is arranged ona second shell 40 of the visor body. It should be noted that the firstbosses 42 may be arranged anywhere on and extending from an insidesurface of the first shell 38, not just at the outer periphery asdescribed above, but in any random or predetermined locations on theinterior surface of the first shell 38 of the visor body. A plurality ofsecond bosses 46, generally having a cylindrical shape, may be arrangedon and extend from an inside surface of the second shell 40 in such amanner that they may mirror the location and interengage with the firstboss 42 when the two visor halve shells 38,40 are placed together.Generally, the second bosses 46 may also have a cylindrical shape with apredetermined length extending from an inside surface of the secondshell 40, however any other known shape may be used as described abovefor the first boss 42. The second boss 46 also may have a an inner borewith a predetermined inner diameter and have a predetermined outerdiameter wherein the outer diameter of the second boss 46 generally maybe slightly smaller, larger, or equal to the inner diameter of the firstboss 42. The second boss 46 may have a reduced outer diameter portionarranged on the top portion thereof, while the bottom portion of thesecond boss 46 generally may have the same outer diameter as that of thefirst boss 42. The second boss 46 may also have an outer diameter thatgenerally is equal to or a little larger or less than the inner diameterof the first boss 42. The second boss 46 also may include a plurality offlanges 48 extending from an outer surface thereof in an outwarddirection. These flanges 48 generally may also extend from the innersurface of the second visor halve shell 40 and extend up approximatelyone half of the length of the second boss 46. The flanges 48, in onecontemplated embodiment, may be placed at approximately 90° from oneanother such that four may be arranged in equal distance around theouter surface of the second boss 46. The flanges 48 may have any knownthickness and length and may define a stop surface that interacts withthe end of the first boss 42 when the visor shell halves 38,40 aresecured to one another. The second boss 46 may also have a taperedsurface 50 on an end thereof. The tapered surface 50 may interengagewith the angled surface 44 during initial engagement of shells 38,40. Inoperation, when the first visor shell half 38 is connected to the secondvisor shell half 40, the first and second bosses 42,46 may be alignedwith one another and thus interengage with one another, wherein thesecond boss 46 may be fitted and arranged within the inner bore of thefirst boss 42 and through a press fit interference secure the firstshell halve 38 to the second shell halve 40 without the need for screwsthus creating a robust visor body for the sliding visor 30 according tothe present invention. Hence, by having the outer diameter of the secondboss 46 generally equal to, slightly larger or smaller than the innerdiameter of the first boss 42, a press fit interference may be createdat multiple points around the visor shells 38, 40 to make the visor bodyinto a robust unit.

In another embodiment of the sliding visor 30 the first bosses 42 arestill arranged on and from the inside surface of the first halve shell38 and the second bosses 46 are arranged on and from an inside surfaceof the second halve shell 40, however the first bosses 42 may include alocking surface 52 arranged on one surface thereof. The locking surface52 generally may be formed by having a predetermined shaped orifice 54arranged through an entire side surface of the first boss 42 at apredetermined position. Generally, this orifice 54 may be arranged alonga surface of the first shell member 38 and generally forms a rectangularor square shape that extends a predetermined distance up the length ofthe cylindrical wall of the first boss 42 and has a predetermined width.This may form a locking surface 52 at the top portion of the orifice 54on the first boss 42. The second boss 46 in the alternate embodiment,may have a locking finger or arm 56 extending from a top portionthereof. Hence, the diameter of the top portion of the second boss 46may have a groove arranged therein, thus forming a locking finger or arm56 on one side thereof and a second arm or finger 58 on the oppositeside thereof. The locking arm 56 may include a locking surface or snap60 generally in the shape of a triangular or ramp shaped surfaceextending from an outer surface thereof, thus creating a locking surface60 on the second boss 46, which may interengage with the locking surface52 of the first boss 42 in a snap fit manner. The second boss 46 mayalso include a plurality of flanges 48 at a predetermined locations. Inone embodiment, there may be three flanges 48 arranged approximately 90°from one another and extending from an outside surface thereof. Itshould be noted a flange 48 may not be aligned with the locking finger60 in one embodiment. Hence, the locking finger snap 60 and the lockingorifice 54 of the first boss 42 may align with one another when thefirst shell 38 and the second shell 40 are aligned and secured to oneanother during construction of the visor body. The first finger 56 ofthe second boss 46 may be capable of flexing, thus allowing for the rampsurface of the snap 60 to ride along the inner bore of the first boss 42until the first finger flexes and allows for a snap interengagement ofthe locking surface 60 of the snap feature on the second boss 46 tointerengage with the locking surface 52 of the first boss 42. It shouldbe noted that the first finger 56 and second finger 58 of the secondboss 46 may also create an interference fit that occurs between thefirst boss 42 and the second boss 46 in addition to the snap lockfeature which may occur between the first boss 42 and the second boss46, thus creating a very robust and secure connection between the firstshell 38 and the second shell 40 allowing for a robust and quiet slidingvisor 30 for the user of the vehicle. Hence, either of these twoembodiments may be used to secure the first shell 38 and the secondshell 40 when they are formed as separate unconnected members accordingto the present invention. It should be noted that it is alsocontemplated to use connected clam shells with the bosses 42,46 forpress fitting and/or press fitting with a snap lock feature on the visorshell halves 38,40 to connect one another or to use any other knownprior art connecting method for connecting clam shell type visor halvesor unconnected type visor halves according to the present invention.

The visor 30 may include a pivot rod 32 that is arranged into one end ofthe visor body and connected on the opposite end to a headliner or roofof the vehicle into which the sun visor 30 is arranged. The visor 30 ispreferably formed such that the shells 38,40 may be closed about thepivot rod 32 and as such capture the pivot rod 32 therebetween in asingle assembly step. Also, the visor 30 may include a carrier 34, whichis slidably arranged and connected to only the first shell 38 of theslidable visor 30, thus securing the carrier 31 to only one of theshells without the need for installation of an internal retainer on thesecond visor halve or similar mechanism for mounting the pivot rod 32.All of the components parts of the visor 30 are manufactured from knownmaterials and by known processes, such as but not limited to, any typeof plastic, metal, ceramic, composite, natural materials, or any otherknown material and by any type of known or unknown molding technique,forming technique, chemical or mechanical process to design and make thecomponents as described herein.

Generally, the shells 38,40 are formed by injection molding the plasticmaterial in a conventional manner. For example, the shells 38,40 may beformed from a molded polyethylene or by some other suitable methodand/or material. The first and second shells 38,40 generally includeretaining surfaces and any known shape, such as arcuate retainingsurfaces, flat or angled retaining surfaces, all of which may beelongated or trough shaped surfaces extending parallel to an edge of thevisor shells 38,40 and defining a portion of a cylinder or wall. Itshould further be appreciated that the present invention may encompassdesigns with retaining surfaces that vary in dimension between longer,trough-shaped features and the narrow arcuate ledges as shown in theFigures. It should further be noted that an arcuate pair of surfaces maybe aligned near one end of the visor shells 38,40 to allow for the pivotrod 32 to be properly supported and capable of rotating and sliding withrelation to the visor body. In the embodiment shown, the visor halfshells 38,40 may have only one of the visor halve shells with theappropriate bearing surfaces to hold and support the visor pivot rod 20on one or both ends thereof. The visor half shells 38,40 may also have achannel formed near one edge thereof, wherein the channel may have afirst and second bearing surface. These bearing surfaces are arranged atany known angle with relation to a center line of the visor body. In onecontemplated embodiment, these angled surfaces may be arranged on eachside of a channel that extends a predetermined distance along alongitudinal axis of the visor body. It should be noted that the visorhalf shells 38,40 may include other surfaces that receive and holdvarious components of the sliding visor 30, such as but not limited tothe pivot rod 32, a D-ring 62, a vanity 64, and cover material 66arranged over the visor body to complete assembly thereof. At the end ofone portion of the channel defined by the first and second shells 38,40may be a stop member. This stop member may extend a predetermineddistance from a bottom surface of the channel to ensure the carrier 34only slides a predetermined distance with respect to the visor body. Thestop member may be of any known shape.

The shell halves 38,40 that form the visor body of the sliding visor 30according to the present invention create a robust visor body. In onecontemplated embodiment, a first shell 38 of the visor body may includea monorail 36 molded along and/or at or near a top edge thereof. Themonorail 36 may extend a predetermined distance from the inside surfaceof the shell 38 and have a predetermined length according to the presentinvention. The monorail 36 generally may have a C-shape. This C-shapemonorail 36 generally may form a channel having a top portion 68 and abottom portion 70. The top portion 68 of the monorail 36 may have agenerally L-shape flange that extends from the inner surface of thefirst shell 38. This L-shape may form a generally U-shaped channel 72that is formed by the L-shape top portion of the monorail 36 and aninterior surface of the first shell 38. It should be noted that aplurality of generally triangular support ribs or braces 74 are arrangedalong a top surface of the top portion 68 of the monorail 36 accordingto the present invention. The triangular shaped braces or supportmembers 74 are placed at a predetermined position along the entirelength of the top surface of the monorail 36.

It should be noted that any other shape may be used for the top portion68 of the monorail 36 according to the present invention. The use of theL-shaped flange extending from an inside surface for the top portion 38of the monorail 36 may form the top of the C-shaped channel which inpart defines the monorail 36 according to the present invention. The topportion 68 of the monorail 36 may have any known width and depth, thusallowing it to receive a first riding surface 76 of the carrier 34therein. The bottom portion 70 of the monorail 36 extending from theinside surface of the first shell halve 38 may generally include aF-shaped flange, in cross section, extending from the inside surface ofthe first shell 38 a predetermined distance. It should be noted thatother shaped flanges such as but not limited to a T-shape flange mayalso be used. The F-shaped flange 70 includes a first long flangeportion and may then have a second flange or rail 78 extending from agenerally mid point thereof perpendicular to the first flange of thebottom portion 70 of the monorail 36 and may also include a third flangeextending from an end of the first flange according to the presentinvention. The rail 78 and third flange may be parallel to each other.The rail 78 generally may have a rectangular or square shape when viewedin cross section. Thus, a second ride surface 80 of the carrier 34 maybe arranged over the second flange or rail 78 of the monorail 36attached to only the first visor halve shell 38 of the visor body. The,monorail 36 may have a U-shaped channel or top ride surface 72 and arail or bottom ride surface 78 extending from an interior surface of thefirst shell 38 of the visor body, thus allowing for the carrier 34 to besecured to and in contact with only one of the visor halve shells 38during operation thereof. It should be noted that any other known shapemay be used for the first ride surface channel 72 of the top portion 68of the monorail 36 and the second ride surface or rail 78 arranged alongthe bottom portion 70 of the monorail 36. It should be noted that thebottom portion 70 of the monorail 36 according to the present inventionmay also include a plurality of support members or support beams 82,generally have a triangular shape arranged on a bottom surface thereofto help secure and make robust the bottom portion 70 of the monorail 36according to the present invention. The triangular support members 82may be arranged in an equal distance manner along the entire length ofthe bottom portion 70 of the monorail 36 according to the presentinvention. The top portion 68 and bottom portion 70 of the monorail 36may have a predetermined length and may be arranged a predetermineddistance from one another and from the top and bottom edge of the firstshell halve 38 of the visor body.

The carrier 34 may be slidingly secured within the monorail 36 of thevisor body only on the first shell 38 according to the presentinvention. Once the carrier 34 is slid into one end of the monorail 36it may be secured therein wherein it may not be capable of being removedfrom the monorail 36 unless the visor shell halves 38 are taken apart.

Another alternate embodiment of the visor body may have shell halves38,40 that form the visor body of the sliding visor 30. According tothis alternate embodiment, only the first shell 38 of the visor body isused to secure the carrier 234 in sliding interaction with the visorbody. In this alternate embodiment a monorail 236 may extend from aninside surface of the first visor half shell 238. In this alternateembodiment, the monorail 236 may generally have a C-shape when viewed incross section, wherein the C-shape extends from the inside surface ofthe visor first halve shell 238. It should be noted the monorail 236 mayhave a top portion or flange 268 and a bottom portion or flange 270 thatboth extend parallel to one another from the inside surface of the firstshell 238. Arranged along and in an equal distance manner between thetop portion 268 and bottom portion 270 of the monorail 236 may be aplurality of support ribs or members 202 that contact both the topportion 268 of the monorail 236 and the bottom portion 270 of themonorail 236 along with the inside surface of the visor first halveshell 238. The top portion or flange 268 of the monorail 236 generallymay be straight and extend in a perpendicular manner away from theinside surface of the visor shell 238 while the bottom portion 270 ofthe monorail 236 may also extend away in a perpendicular manner as astraight flange such that it is parallel to the first straight flange268 of the monorail 236. Arranged from a top surface of the top flange268 of the monorail 236 is a generally V or partially V-shaped channel204. Arranged from a bottom surface of the bottom flange 270 of themonorail 236 is a V or partially V-shaped channel 206. The V-shapedchannels 204,206 may be used to hold and secure the carrier 234 to themonorail 236 such that the carrier 234 only has to interact with one ofthe halve shells 238, i.e., the first halve shell 238, to be slidinglysecured within the visor body according to the present invention.Generally, the top channel 204 and bottom channel 206 of the monorail236 may have a V-shape but it may also be seen as a U-shape depending onthe cross sectional view and design requirements. The V-shape generallymay allow for angled surfaces of both the top channel 204 and the bottomchannel 206 to allow for sliding engagement and securing of the carrier234 to the monorail 236 on both the bottom surface and the top surfacethereof. In one contemplated embodiment, a bottom riding surface of thecarrier 234 may have a spring force that urges the bottom riding surfaceof the carrier 234 to push in an upward direction toward and into thebottom channel 206 of the monorail 236 while the top channel 204 may usegravity or another force to provide the necessary force to hold thecarrier 234 in the top channel 204. Thus, a force pointing in a downwarddirection and a spring force pointing in an upward direction, maysecurely hold the carrier 234 to the monorail 236 such that only thefirst shell 238 is necessary to slidingly secure the carrier 234 andpivot rod 32 within the vehicle visor body. It should be noted that anyother shape may be used for the top channel 204 and bottom channel 206of the monorail 236 according to the alternate embodiment of the presentinvention.

It should be noted that other contemplated methodologies and fastenersmay be used to secure the two visor shell halves 38,40 to one another,but the embodiment shown including the bosses 42,46 which interact in apress fit and/or locking manner as described above is preferred.

It should be noted that one of the shell halves 38,40 also may include apredetermined shaped orifice or cavity on an outer surface thereof thatmay be used to receive and secure a vanity 64 to the visor body. Theorifice or cavity for receiving the vanity 64 may include a plurality oflocking surfaces or locking arms that may interact with locking surfacesor flanges of a frame of the vanity 64 to ensure the vanity 64 iscapable of being secured to the outer surface of one of the shells 38,40of the visor body. The locking surfaces and fingers may have any knownshape and are arranged such that both illuminated and non-illuminatedvisor vanities may be arranged therein. Other surfaces may also bemolded into the visor half shells 38,40 to allow for placement of wires84 to illuminate a visor vanity mirror or to receive a universal garagedoor opener 86 or other components directly into the visor body. Thevisor half shells 38,40 according to the present invention, may alsoinclude a plurality of teeth 88 arranged around an outer periphery ofthe front edge, side edges or all of the edges of each of the shellhalves 38,40.

The teeth 88 generally have a pyramidal or triangular like tooth shapeand may either be directly aligned with one another from each half shell38,40 or offset with one another from each half shell 38,40, dependingon the design requirements and the tucking process to be used. It shouldbe noted that the tuck edge teeth 88 may have any known shape other thantriangular, pyramidal or conical, as shown in the drawings and may beoffset or aligned with one another depending on the design requirementsof the visor body. The teeth 88 arranged around the outer periphery mayform a tuck edge wherein the outer covering material 66 used to coverthe visor 30 during its final assembly process may be tucked into thegap formed between the teeth 88 and the teeth 88 on each shell half38,40 may hold the material to present a taught, clean appearance on theouter surface of the visor body and a clean seam or line alone the outerfront edge and/or sides of the visor body, which is generally visible tothe user of the automotive vehicle. This use of the teeth 88 to form atuck edge and to have the cover material 66 placed by a tuck edgeprocess into engagement with the teeth 88 may create an aestheticallypleasing visor body having a taught, clean outer cover material 66arranged thereover. It should be noted that in one contemplatedembodiment the cover material 66 may be formed in the shape of a sockand the sock is arranged over one end of the visor body then the tuckprocess is used to create the clean front edge and side edges of thevisor 30. However, any other known tuck process and cover material 66that is not in the form of a sock may also be used depending on thedesign requirements and the visor 30 being created.

The sliding visor 30, according to the present invention, may alsoinclude a D-ring 62 secured to the visor body on a top edge thereof. TheD-ring 62 may be any known D-ring. The D-ring 62 of the presentinvention may partially assist in holding the cover material 66 in ataught, clean manner over the outer surface of the visor half shells38,40 formed into a visor body. The D-ring 62 also may include arotating pin 90 which rotates 360° with respect to the body of theD-ring 62 and the visor body. As shown in the Figures, the rotating pin90 may have a predetermined length and may or may not have a borerunning along mid point thereof or only along a predetermined portion ofthe mid point of the rotating pin 90. The rotating pin 90 may have apredetermined diameter and may have a skirt like flange arranged on oneend thereof. On the opposite end of the rotating pin 90 may be a lockingshoulder that includes a circumferential flange extending from an outersurface thereof that interacts with a locking surface of the body of theD-ring 62. In operation, the assembler may take the rotating pin 90,pass it through an orifice in an arm of the D-ring 62 and insert it intothe opposite orifice of the opposite arm of the D-ring 62 until thelocking shoulder interacts with the locking surface of the D-ring 62.This will secure the rotating pin 90 to the D-ring 62 but allow forrotation of the rotating pin 90 with relation to the D-ring body andhence, the visor body. It should be noted that any known plastic,ceramic, composite, metal or natural material may be used to form boththe rotating pin 90 and the D-ring 62 according to the presentinvention. The D-ring body generally has a saddle like shape with a legextending down that may interact with a locking member arranged on oneof the half shells 38,40 of the visor body. It should be noted that anyother shape may be used for the D-ring body, not just that shown in thedrawings.

The sliding visor 30 may also include a pivot rod 32 which is attachedat one end to a bracket and connector 94 which is secured to theheadliner or roof of a vehicle. The bracket 94 may have a connectorsecured thereto to connect the electrical system of the vehicle via awire 84 to the bracket, the wire 84 is then passed through the pivot rod32, which generally is hollow according to the present invention.However, it should be noted that a solid pivot rod 32 may be used, aslong as it will be capable of passing electricity therethrough to allowfor illumination of the vanity mirror if necessary. The bracket 94 maybe secured to the roof of the vehicle via fasteners or any other knownmethodology. The bracket 94 includes an orifice that will receive oneend of the pivot rod 32 near an elbow of the pivot rod 32, wherein thepivot rod 32 generally has an angle of 60°-120° at the elbow. The pivotrod 32 may be secured and capable of rotation within the orifice of thebracket 94 and may also be swung between a front windshield of thevehicle and a side window of the vehicle to block the sun from anyangle. The pivot rod 32 may be of any known length and diameterdepending on the design of the visor 30 and the automobile into which itis arranged. The wire 84 may be connected between the electrical systemof the automobile and is passed through to a light bulb for illuminationof a visor mirror in the vanity 64. It should be noted that the visor30, pivot rod 32 and bracket 94 may be made of any known material suchas but not limited to plastic, ceramic, composites, metals, or naturalmaterial, etc.

The visor pivot rod 32 is arranged within a top portion of a carrier 34,which is arranged within the monorail 36 of the first shell 38 of thevisor body. The carrier 34 generally may have a rectangular shape whenviewed from the side and may include a first arm 96 and a second arm 96extending from a top surface thereof generally at an outer edge thereof.The arms 96 may have a circular bore arranged through a generallymidpoint thereof and be used to receive the visor pivot rod 32 therein.A finger detent mechanism may be used to secure the visor pivot rod 32within the first and second arm 96 of the carrier 34. In onecontemplated embodiment the finger detent is a steel member, however anyother type of material including but not limited to any other knownmetal, composite, plastic, ceramic, or natural material may be used forthe detent of the visor 30 according to the present invention. The useof the detent may allow for the carrier 34 to be secured in an axialmanner to the end of the visor pivot rod 32, but allow it to rotate withrespect to the pivot rod 32. Thus, with the carrier 34 secured to theend of the pivot rod 32 in an axial direction, it may allow for thevisor body to slide with relation to the pivot rod 32 and carrier 34thus allowing for more precise placement of the visor body to block sunfrom entering the interior of the vehicle. When viewed from the side,the first and second arm 96 generally have a circular shape. The firstand second arm 96 extend from the body of the carrier 31. The carrierbody generally may have a first side 98 that may have a first 100 andsecond cavity 102 arranged a predetermined distance into the first sidesurface. The cavities 100, 102 may have a generally square shape,however any other known shape may be used and the cavities 100,102 arearranged in a side by side manner as shown in the figures in onecontemplated embodiment. It should be noted that the cavities 100,102may have a predetermined length, width and depth into the side surface98 of the body of the carrier 34.

Arranged along or near a top edge of the first side 98 of the carrier 34may be a first ride surface 76. The first ride surface 76 generally maybe a flange that has a generally rectangular or square shape. The flangemay generally extend off a top surface of the side of the first side 98of the carrier 34. It should be noted that any other shape may be usedfor the first ride surface or flange 76 depending on the designrequirements of the carrier 34. Generally, the dimensions of the firstride surface 76 may mimic or be slightly smaller than the dimensions ofthe U-shaped channel 72 of the top portion of the monorail 36 of thevisor first halve shell 38. This may allow for the first ride surface 76to ride along in the generally U-shaped channel 72 of the top portion ofthe monorail 36 in a secure manner, thus allowing for the carrier topportion not to move away from in a direction away from the inner surfaceof the visor first halve shell 38. Arranged on a bottom surface of thevisor carrier 34 is a second ride surface 80. The second ride surface 80is in the form of a generally rectangular or square shaped slot 80arranged along the entire length of the carrier 34. The slot 80generally may have a predetermined depth and width which generallymimics that of the rail 78 extending from the bottom portion of themonorail 36 of the visor first shell halve 38. Hence, with the secondride surface or slot 80 extending the entire length of the carrier'sbody it may allow the carrier 34 to be slidingly secured within themonorail 36 of the first halve 38 of the visor shell body. Thus, withinthe monorail 36 the bottom surface of the carrier 34 may engage with therail 78 of the monorail 36 on all three sides thereof and may also havethe outer surface of the carrier 34 engage with an inside surface of thefirst shell visor body thus creating a slidingly secure connection atboth the top portion and bottom portion of the carrier 34 and the topportion and bottom portion of the monorail 36. Thus, securing thecarrier 34 on only one of the visor halve shells 38 in a novel manner.It should be noted that the slot 80 of the carrier 34 may have any knownshape, as long as that shape mimics the shape of the rail 78 extendingfrom the bottom portion of the monorail 36. A second side 104 surface ofthe carrier 34 may include a plurality of cavities formed at or near abottom edge thereof. In one contemplated embodiment, a first 106, second108 and third cavity 110 are formed wherein the first 106 and thirdcavity 110 are of the same shape and arranged along the respective sideedges and bottom edges of the carrier side surface, while the secondcavity 108 is a little larger in size and arranged only along the bottomedge of the carrier 34 and an edge of both the first 106 and thirdcavity 110. It should be noted that these cavities may have any knowndepth or shape and may or may not even be included on the carrier body,depending on the design requirements of the visor body. Thus, thecarrier 34 may be secured to only the first halve shell 38 via the firstride surface 76 and second ride surface 80 of the carrier 34interengaging with the top portion and bottom portion of the monorail 36such that it is slindingly locked within the generally C-shaped monorail36 according to the present invention. This may allow for the carrier 34to slide freely along the predetermined length of the top portion of thevisor 30 allowing the visor 30 to be placed in different positionswithin the interior of the vehicle. It would also allow for the visor 30to be rotated into different positions even while being slid in an axialdirection according to the present invention.

In an alternate embodiment, the carrier 234 may have an alternate designwhich also may still allow for it to be arranged to a monorail 236 thathas a different design than as described above. In the alternateembodiment of the sliding visor 30, the carrier 234 may be arranged on amonorail 236 that is only attached to a first halve shell 238 of thevisor body. From a side view the alternate carrier 234 may have agenerally rectangular shape with a first arm 296 and a second arm 296extending from a top surface thereof. Generally, the arms 296 arearranged along the outer edge of the visor body when viewed from a side.The first and second arm 296 of the carrier 234 may include a generallycircular bore through a midpoint thereof thus allowing for the visorpivot rod 32 to be arranged therein and secured in an axial manner tothe visor carrier 234. Generally, a detent finger may be used to securethe visor pivot rod 32 to the carrier 234. This finger detent generallyis made of a steel material, however any other type of material, such asany known metal, plastic, ceramic, composite or natural material mayalso be used.

Generally, this finger detent may allow for the carrier 234 to beaxially fixed with respect to the end of the visor pivot rod 32 butallow for rotation with respect to the pivot rod 32, thus allowing forthe visor body to be rotated from a stored position down to a useposition to block sun from entering either the front window or sidewindow of the vehicle. The carrier 234 may have a predetermined shapedcavity 203 arranged in a first side thereof. Generally, the cavity 203may extend the entire length of the carrier body and may have arectangular shape when viewed in cross section. Arranged and extendingfrom a top surface of the cavity 203 of the carrier 231 may be a firstride surface 205 which generally has a triangular or V or partial Vshape. The first V-shaped ride surface generally may be a flange 205that extends from an inside surface from the cavity 203 of the carrier234. The first flange 205 may extend a predetermined distance and mayhave generally angled surfaces on a first and second side and a flatbottom portion when viewed in cross section. It should be noted that anyother shape may be used for the first flange 205 extending from a topportion of the cavity 203 of the carrier 234.

Arranged and extending from a bottom portion of the cavity 203 of thecarrier 234 may be a second 207 and third ride surface 209 arranged atthe end of flexible fingers or a leaf spring 211. The flexible fingersare arranged on a leaf spring type mechanism 211 that extends from abottom portion of the cavity 203 of the carrier 231. It should be notedthat the first ride surface 205 may extend the entire length of thecarrier 234 or only a predetermined portion of that carrier 234depending on the design requirements. Generally, the first, second andthird ride surface 205, 207, 209 arranged at or near the edge of thecavity 203 of the carrier 234. The second and third ride surfaces orflexible fingers 207,209 being arranged at or near the edge of agenerally leaf spring like member 211 may allow for the ends to flex inan upward direction towards the top of the cavity 203 of the carrier234. The leaf spring 211 extends from an inside surface of the cavity203 and is generally secured at or near a midpoint thereof to the cavity203 which allows for the first and second flex finger of the leaf spring211 to move independently of one another from a midpoint of the leafspring 211. The mid point of the leaf spring 211 may have arranged thereat a triangular or circular tooth 213 that extends across a widththereof on a bottom surface of the leaf spring 211. Also, extending froma side surface of the leaf spring 211 may be a first and second tab 215.The tabs 215 in conjunction with the inner wall surface of the cavity203 may form a pocket to secure a spring 217 which is used to controlthe slide on rod efforts of the second and third ride surface 207,209arranged on the end of the flexible fingers found on the end of the leafspring member 211. Extending from an inside surface of the cavity 203 ofthe carrier 234 may be a first, second and third flange with the firstand third flange arranged near the outer edge of the carrier 234 whilethe second flange is arranged generally at a mid point of the carrier234 and serves to hold the carrier spring 217 with relation to the leafspring mechanism 211. It should be noted that the first and third flangeof the carrier 234 may have a slot of any known shape, such as thesquare shape shown, arranged in a top surface thereof. The slot may beused to interact with and allow for a rail or flange extending from abottom surface of the second ride surface 207 and third ride surface 209to enter into the slot to allow for proper engagement and securing ofthe carrier 234 to the monorail 236 of the first halve shell 238.

Thus, with the slots on the outer edge flanges it may allow the flexiblefingers to move in a downward direction, thus allowing for a securesliding relationship between the monorail 236 and the carrier 234. Itshould be noted that the end of the second and third ride surfaces207,209 generally may have a V shaped flange extending in an upwarddirection from a top surface thereof. These flanges 207,209 generallymay mimic the first flange 205 as described above.

These flanges 207,209 may extend a predetermined distance from the edgeof the top surface in an inward direction and may extend inward from theedge of the two top side surfaces a predetermined distance thus allowingfor a secure engagement between the second and third flexible fingers207,209 and the bottom channel 206 of the monorail 236. The carrier 234may also include a generally U shaped flanges 219 extending from eachside surface. The U shaped flanges 219 generally may be arranged at ornear a bottom surface of the first end and second end of the carrier234. The flanges 219 may be used as stops to interact with otherportions of the first visor shell halve 238 to ensure quiet operation ofthe sliding visor mechanism or may be used to secure and hold wires ofthe visor 30 in a predetermined place or position while the carrier 234travels on the monorail 236.

In operation, after the carrier 234 is molded a generally steel carrierspring 217 may be inserted into a pocket and engage with the tabs 215,an inner wall of the cavity 203 of the carrier 234 and with a topsurface of the second flange and with almost the entire bottom surfaceof the leaf spring member 211 to allow for the proper spring force to beapplied in an upward direction such that the second and third ridesurfaces 207,209 are biased in an upward direction towards the top ofthe carrier 234. The carrier 234 after the spring 217 is insertedtherein may be arranged over one end of the monorail 236 and then have apivot rod 32 placed in the carrier 234 and secured via a spring detent.The first ride surface 205 may engage with the top channel 204 of themonorail 236 and the second and third ride surface 207,209 of thecarrier 234 may engage with the bottom channel 206 of the monorail 236with the spring force urging the second and third ride surfaces 207,209in an upward direction towards the top of the carrier 234. This mayassure a secure but sliding arrangement occurs between the ride surfacesof the carrier 234 and the top and bottom channel 204,206 of themonorail 236 thus allowing for a secure engagement that is also capableof having sliding occur between the carrier 234 and only the first halveshell 238 of the visor body. It should further be noted that the carrier234 may also include a slot 221 arranged into a top surface of thecarrier 234 between the first side and second side of the carrier body.The slot 221 may extend nearly the entire height of the carrier body andbetween the first and second arm 296 of the carrier 234 thus forming agenerally rectangular or V shaped pocket therein.

The sliding visor 30 of the present invention may also include a detentwhich is independent of the carrier 34 and hence there is no interfacevia rivets or fasteners with the carrier 34. Generally, the detent 35 isarranged and engaged with an outer surface of the pivot rod 32 andwithin the carrier 34. The detent 35 does not connect to the carrier 34via rivet or other fastener, but is locked into the carrier 34 via itsshape. Its shape generally is that of an oval when viewed from a crosssectional side view. One end of the detent may have a locking claspmechanism, which may also engage with a bottom surface or inner surfaceof the carrier 34 to create the detent independent of carrier interfacethat is required. This may create low effort for the detent and rotationthereof with respect to the pivot rod 32. It should be noted that anyother shape detent, such as the detents used by the Applicant inprevious visors, may also be used according to the present invention. Itis also contemplated to have a detent that is secured to the carrier 34by either a rivet or other fastener and is not a floating detent asdescribed herein.

Generally, the detent is made of a steel material, however any otherknown material such as plastic, ceramic, composite, or any other metalor natural material may also be used for the detent according to thepresent invention.

The sliding visor 30 also may include a wire routing system that passesa wire 84 from the bracket 94 through the pivot rod 32 to the vanitylight for illumination of a vanity mirror therein. In one contemplatedembodiment, a pivot point lever arm may be pivotally connected to oneend of the carrier 34 via orifices arranged within the floating carrier.It is also contemplated in another wiring route option in which the wire84 exits directly out of the end of the carrier 34 into a tube protectoror it is also contemplated that no tube protector is used and that thewire 84 is just placed in a predetermined position within the visor bodyand allowed to move with relation to the pivot rod 32 when the visorslides, thus allowing for the wires 84 to never be comprised duringrotation or sliding of the visor 30. It is also contemplated to useother types of electricity to power the vanity light if a vanity lightis chosen, such as a battery pack, or any other known wiring route orsystem that is capable to bring electricity from the vehicle directly tothe visor vanity light.

The sliding visor 30 may also include a vanity member 64. The vanitymember 64 generally includes a vanity door, door springs, a vanityframe, a vanity mirror with optional lights arranged thereon. If thevanity 64 is illuminated, the vanity 64 may also include at least onelens to disperse light in a predetermined manner. The vanity framegenerally may include at least one, but may include two connectingflanges arranged near or at a bottom surface of the vanity frame. On theopposite end of the vanity frame may be arranged at least one lockingshoulder or surface that may interact with locking tabs arranged on asurface of one of the visor shell halves 38,40. This will allow for thevanity frame and vanity 64 to be secured to the visor body withoutfasteners, such as screws, etc. It should be noted that other type ofmembers may be used to secure the vanity member 64 to the visor bodyother than that described herein. In one contemplated embodiment the useof the vanity secure system with the vanity visor body wherein a snap insystem does not require fasteners such as screws to secure the vanitysystem the visor body is preferred. It should be noted that the visorhalf shell that holds and supports the vanity 64 may also include aplurality of arcuate holders to hold and secure light bulbs or LED'swhich are used to illuminate the visor vanity with respect to the vanityframe if such lighting is required. It should be noted that it is alsocontemplated to have only one light bulb or LED arranged in the visor orno light bulbs arranged in the visor and just a vanity mirror arrangedtherein. All of these surfaces are premolded into the visor half shellinto which the vanity 64 may be arranged and secured.

The vanity 64 may also include a vanity door, which is pivotallyconnected to the vanity frame via door springs. The door springsgenerally have a C or U shape when viewed from a side. The door springmay use a cam interference to door hinge the vanity system 64. One endof the vanity spring may be arranged within a surface of the vanityframe. The opposite end of the door spring may engage and interact witha cam arranged on a door hinge of the door of the vanity 64. The hingemay have the cam surface adjacent to an orifice through the door hinge,which may allow for the cam interference to create an acting force onthe spring which is perpendicular to the pocket rather than thedirection of installation. It should further be noted that the doorspring may have a sufficient preload or interference between the doorand spring to ensure that the door effort does not fall below apredetermined effort, arranged adjacent to at least one of the doorhinges may be a switch used to close the circuit to illuminate the lightof the vanity 64. The switch in one embodiment may be a plunger switch,which when the vanity door is placed in an open position a surface ofthe vanity door, such as one of the hinges may interact with the plungerswitch, thus depressing the plunger switch and closing the circuit andilluminating the light bulb or LED's arranged adjacent to the vanitymirror of the vanity 64. It should be noted that other types of switchesmay also be used depending on the design requirements of the visor 30.

In operation, the carrier 34 of the visor 30 according to the presentinvention may be secured and only engage and contact the first shell 38of the visor body. It does not matter which shell 38,40 the monorail 36is molded on, but just that only one of the shells 38,40 may be used tosecure and slidably hold and move the carrier 34 within the visor body.As described above, generally a monorail 36 having a C shape may besecured to an inside surface of one of the halve shells 38,40 of thevisor body. After the visor halve shell 38 is molded a carrier 34 mayeither be placed within a monorail 36 in one embodiment of the slidingvisor 30 or on a monorail 236 of one embodiment of the sliding visor 30.The carrier 34 may hence be secured to just one of the visor halveshells during operation thereof. It may have no contact with the othervisor halve shell, thus the tolerances may only have to be precise onthe one visor halve shell where the monorail 36 is secured thereto. Itshould be noted that generally it is contemplated to mold the monorail36 directly onto the inside surface of the visor first halve shell 38,however it may be placed onto the visor halve shell 38 after moldingthereof. The use of a monorail 36 to secure the carrier 34 may reduceparts and complexity of the visor body, thus allowing for easiermanufacturing of the parts and easier assembly of the sliding visor 30after molding of the parts has occurred. In one of the contemplatedembodiments the carrier 34 may be arranged within a monorail 36 suchthat a first ride surface and a second ride surface of the carrier 34are enclosed within a first ride channel and over a first rail of amonorail 36. In a second embodiment, the carrier 234 may be placed on orover the monorail 236 such that an inner cavity of the carrier 234 mayinteract with a top channel of the monorail 236 and a bottom channel ofthe monorail 236 thus securing the carrier 234 to the outside surfacesof the monorail 236 in the second embodiment. The first embodimentsecures the carrier 34 within and to an inside surface of the monorail36 while the second embodiment secures the carrier 234 to the outsidesurfaces of the monorail 236. After or before the carrier 34 is securedeither within the monorail in one embodiment or over the outer surfaceof the monorail in the second embodiment a pivot rod 32 may be arrangedthrough the arms of the carrier 34 and secured via a detent. Then thesecond visor halve shell 40 may be aligned and secured to the firstvisor halve shell 38 and via the first and second bosses 42,46 molded onthe respective inner surfaces thereof in order to secure the halveshells 38, 40 to one another to form a robust visor body that is capableof sliding with respect to the pivot rod 32 thus creating a slidingvisor 30 for use within a vehicle of any type.

Therefore, with the carrier 34 completely secured to only one halvevisor shell 38 it may reduce the complexity of the visor components andthe costs for making, manufacturing and final assembly thereof.

The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. Itis to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intendedto be in the nature of words of description rather than that oflimitation.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possiblein light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of theappended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise thanas specifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A visor for use in a vehicle, said visorcomprising: a pivot rod; a first and second shell being engageable toform a visor body; a cover arranged over said visor body; and said firstshell having a plurality of first bosses extending from an insidesurface thereof, said first bosses generally have a cylindrical shape,said second shell having a plurality of second bosses extending from aninside surface thereof, said second bosses having a smaller diameterthan said first bosses, said second bosses having a plurality of flangesextending from an outside surface thereof.
 2. The visor of claim 1wherein said first shell is secured to said second shell by a press fitinteraction between said plurality of first bosses and said plurality ofsecond bosses.
 3. The visor of claim 1 wherein at least one of saidfirst bosses having a locking surface arranged in a surface thereof. 4.The visor of claim 3 wherein at least one of said second bosses having alocking finger.
 5. The visor of claim 4 wherein said locking fingerengages with said locking surface to help secure said first shell tosaid second shell.
 6. The visor of claim 1 wherein said first and secondshells are arranged in a clamshell design.
 7. The visor of claim 1wherein an end of said plurality of flanges contacts an end of saidfirst bosses.
 8. The visor of claim 1 wherein said plurality of firstbosses having a top edge with an angled surface.
 9. The visor of claim 1wherein said plurality of first bosses having an orifice arrangedthrough a side surface thereof.
 10. The visor of claim 1 wherein saidplurality of flanges of said second bosses total four, said plurality ofsaid flanges are arranged approximately 90° from one another.
 11. Thevisor of claim 1 wherein said plurality of flanges of said second bossesextend approximately one half of the length of said second bosses andfrom an inside surface of said second shell.
 12. The visor of claim 1wherein said second bosses having a tapered surface on an end thereof.13. The visor of claim 4 wherein said plurality of flanges of saidsecond bosses having a total of three, said plurality of flanges arearranged at approximately 90° intervals.
 14. The visor of claim 13wherein said plurality of flanges are arranged without aligning withsaid locking finger.
 15. The visor of claim 4 wherein said lockingfinger having a ramp shaped surface.
 16. A method of manufacturing a sunvisor comprising the steps of: molding a first and second visor shell,said first shell having a monorail molded on an interior side thereof;securing a carrier attached to a pivot rod to said monorail, saidcarrier slides with respect to said monorail, said carrier slides andrides on only said first visor shell; and attaching said first shell tosaid second shell with a plurality of press fit bosses, said first shelland said second shell are secured to each other without a screw.